To Live And Dai In LA

Here's the Manic Street Preachers and myself in Los Angeles, May 1992. They were promoting their first album in America and I was there for a few days of intense fun. We had just taken a ride to a TV studio in Anaheim and on the way back, we took an impulse detour to Disneyland, where the band pulled shapes for photographer Pennie Smith.

Also in the photo is Rob Stringer, an Aylesbury boy who had signed the band to Epic Records. I believe he's now US Chairman of the Sony Music Group. Also in the shot is the band's manager Martin Hall, who also looks after The Script these days.

After Disneyland, I took a taxi to Compton where the embers of the LA Riots were still smouldering. I interviewed Eazy-E from NWA and then scurried back to Sunset Strip, where we had some refreshing drinks with the Manics at Barney's Beanerie. It was a wonderful night and Richey was in top form, getting loose on tequiilla and unspooling a series of tall stories. Strange days.